Near the rock-cut caves of Ellora in Maharashtra stands Grishneshwar, traditionally revered as the last of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Its tender legend, told in the Koti Rudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana, tells of Ghushma (Kusuma), a woman of great devotion who daily shaped and worshipped a hundred clay lingas. When her jealous elder sister killed Ghushma's son and cast him into the tank where she immersed her lingas, Ghushma's faith did not waver — and Shiva, moved by her devotion, restored her son to life and appeared at her prayer as Ghushmeshwar, or Grishneshwar, remaining there for her sake and for all devotees.
The temple, built of red volcanic stone and carved with fine sculptures and dashavatara panels, marks the culmination of the Jyotirlinga pilgrimage for many who have journeyed to all twelve. Its present form owes much to the devotion of the eighteenth-century queen Ahilyabai Holkar, a great restorer of temples across India.
Close to the world-renowned Ellora caves, Grishneshwar unites profound devotional legend with the artistic heritage of the Deccan — a fitting final darshan on the sacred circuit of the twelve.
